Narberth HARP plans new website, events and an annual awards program to boost public outreach

The Narberth Historic and Architectural Review Panel met to discuss public outreach, a new borough website and plans for workshops, walking tours and an annual awards program aimed at raising awareness of the panel's work.

Panel members said the borough is preparing a redesigned website that will include individual pages for each board and commission, a calendar feed, and the ability to host documents and photographs that the panel can use to explain processes to property owners. Members said the panel will supply content in pieces and that the clerk's office will build pages and fold them into the master site when ready.

Why it matters: panel members said low public awareness of Narberth's preservation tools and regulations undermines early engagement on projects. Improved online materials and a predictable event calendar are intended to direct homeowners to preservation guidance before they reach later permitting stages.

Panel members identified three short-term program types to prioritize: (1) an awards program tied to the borough fiscal year that could be run annually; (2) spring and fall public events such as a lecture and walking tour focused on local architects and built-form history; and (3) practical workshops (roofing, electrical, basements, window repair) targeted at homeowners and contractors. The group discussed using partner organizations to share staffing and costs and suggested modeling events on successful programs run elsewhere to make budget requests easier for borough council.

Budget and timing: the panel discussed preliminary honoraria figures (roughly $200 per speaker as a baseline) and suggested assembling a modest placeholder request for council by early fall so funding can be considered in the borough's budgeting cycle. Members said some events could be delivered at low cost through partnerships with conservancy groups and volunteers, while larger items (an awards program or a printed contractor directory) would need formal budget estimates.

Implementation and next steps: the panel agreed to compile specific content and photograph selections for the clerk's office, develop cost estimates for proposed events by August, and identify partners for co-sponsorship. Staff noted a near-term advisory application for a front-porch reconstruction that may come to the panel for review and asked that outreach materials clarify when and how owners should consult the panel during project planning.

The panel closed by asking members to gather draft copy and images for the website and to provide rough event budgets for consideration at the next meeting.